By Lane Corley Throughout the New Testament, persecution and suffering are presented as foundational elements of the Christian faith. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11 – You are Blessed when you are insulted, persecuted, falsely accused. He says that we should, “Be glad and rejoice” Matthew 5:12, and “leap for joy” (Luke 6:23) when this happens. Really? A few other verses: 2 Timothy 3:12 – “all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” Acts 14:22 – “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” Philippians 1:29 – “it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him” What are we to make of these and other words of Jesus and the Apostles on the issue of suffering? Defining Christian Suffering First of all, it’s worth noting that we’re talking about suffering and being persecuted because of your relationship with Christ and his work in and through your life. We can make ourselves martyrs in a prideful way, pointing out how hard we work compared to others and in attempts to get the recognition of others. This usually is not about the righteousness of God but the self-righteousness of man. Jesus gets little glory from … [Read more...]
LCU 2026 freshman class welcomed to campus with action-filled weekend
By Staff, LCUNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCUNews) -- Louisiana Christian University welcomed the Class of 2026 to campus over the weekend, Aug. 19-21, with several LCU traditions and some new activities to help them get initiated into the Wildcat family. The freshmen moved in Friday afternoon, got unpacked and hung out with their navigators -- upper-class leaders who are assigned a group of freshmen to mentor for the year -- before participating in servant leadership exercises the following day. On Saturday, Aug. 20, the entire freshmen class served the local community by working at the food bank and hosting a back-to-school giveaway for community children. “We are excited to have the opportunity to prepare our graduates at LCU by teaching our incoming class about servant leadership,” said Meredith Rennier, director of The Center for Calling and Career. “It is amazing to see how serving others can quickly bring a group of students that barely know one another together,” said Brian Manuel, dean of students. Classes officially began this morning, Aug. 22. Freshmen Convocation will be Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. in Guinn Auditorium. President Rick Brewer, who is starting his 36th year in Christian higher education … [Read more...]
LBC seeks resolutions, nominees for committees, boards
By Staff, Baptist Message ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates to serve on state convention boards and committees, and, are asked to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees will be conducting its work early this fall to fill 17 openings on five state convention committees: Credentials; Moral and Social Concerns; Nominations; Order of Business; and Resolutions. Nominations should be sent not later than Aug. 12 to Jake Roudkowski, interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Zachary, who is the Committee on Committees chair. Please forward your recommendations via email, jaker@nobts.edu, or the U.S. Mail, Dr. Jake Roudkowski, 78689 Hwy. 25, Folsom, LA 70437. BOARDS The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations will begin its work, also in early fall, to fill 18 vacancies on the LBC Executive Board as well as the trustee bodies of the Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, Baptist Message, and Baptist Foundation. Nominations should be sent not later than Aug. 12 to Ron Thompson, member, First Baptist Church, … [Read more...]
Richey Baptist restored and more after fire
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer DEVILLE, La. (LBM) – A fire damaged the worship center at Richey Baptist Church, Deville, in January 2021, leaving the congregation of 80 seeking God’s help to rebuild their facility. Fifteen months later, their prayers were answered in even greater ways than the congregation ever could have imagined, according to their pastor, Grady Dodge. Dodge told the Baptist Message he was encouraged so many churches stepped up to assist in the rebuild, modeling the body of Christ. “When the fire happened, I thought it was the end of the world,” said Dodge, also the Louisiana Baptist Building maintenance supervisor. “God showed me so much through it. He showed me unity in the community and unity in the churches.” The fire began at 11 a.m., Jan. 9, 2021, and engulfed the worship center. Fire crews from Effie and Ruby-Kolin extinguished it later that same evening. While most of the worship center was destroyed, a steeple and Bible located near the front doors miraculously survived. Rather than fold, the church, pressed forward with the insurance company paying half of the $700,000 needed to rebuild, and churches and individuals from around the state donating the remainder. During … [Read more...]
NOBTS Jamie Dew to headline E4 Preaching Conference
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Jamie Dew is the keynote speaker for the 2022 E4 Preaching Conference. Dew, who was elected president of the seminary in 2019, will bring messages during general sessions of the annual conference Sept. 13 at First Baptist Church, Pineville. “I’m thrilled to join pastors and preachers from all over Louisiana for this year’s E4 Conference,” Dew told the Baptist Message. “Our pastors work hard to care for their people and proclaim the Word to the lost. The Gospel of Jesus is the only hope for the broken world, and we must be prepared to defend it with clarity, conviction and kindness.” The conference will feature music by the FBC Pineville praise team. Breakout sessions will include such topics as Contending for the Faith, Preaching Issues in our Culture and Preaching through Ephesians and will be led by professors from Louisiana Christian University, NOBTS and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Mississippi Pastor Argile Smith. Dew’s wife, Tara, will lead a study track for ministers’ wives. “With all that is happening in our world, preachers must be prepared to be biblical and relevant at … [Read more...]
Families blessed with Gospel, school supplies
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists recently hosted backpack giveaway events that planted Gospel seeds in families prior to the start of the new school year. NEW ORLEANS Several ministries and churches teamed up, July 30, to distribute both 1,750 backpacks that were filled with school supplies and 500 bags of hygiene items at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Additionally, a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding unit from First Baptist Church, Slidell, and SEND Relief provided more than 800 meals; the Baptist Community Health Services administered free health screenings to 49 families; and the LSU School of Dentistry administered dental care to 46 families. The event was sponsored by Lakeshore Church, SEND Relief and Infinite Blessings (a non-profit organization that serves the schools, food banks, shelters and clinics in the city). Joshua Durnell, worship pastor at Lakeshore Church and a SEND Relief missionary, said mission teams from Northbrook Baptist Church and Temple Baptist Church, Cullman, Ala., and Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Lexington, Ky., filled the backpacks at the church. Fifty members from Lakeshore Church later moved the backpacks to … [Read more...]
Church honors pastor, helps him beat cancer
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer FOREST HILL, La. (LBM) – Pastor Mike Evans recently missed two months in the pulpit during a fierce battle with cancer and other medical issues, but through those trials he experienced God’s goodness through the love displayed by his church. Meanwhile, his congregation, Elwood Baptist Church, Forest Hill, has experienced a personal revival with eight baptisms since April. Five other new believers are awaiting baptism. “They stepped up,” Evans told the Baptist Message. “Since this church was founded in 1912, we have had love, respect and unity. You can never underestimate the value of a prayer or receiving a card from someone. That helped get me through some very difficult days. They stood in the gap for me when I wasn’t able.” Evans, from April 11-June 16, spent time in Alexandria and Baton Rouge hospitals and at home as he underwent surgery for prostate cancer and fought off pneumonia and multiple embolisms (obstruction of his arteries). While he was away from the pulpit, Evans said the members and other Louisiana Baptists never ceased showing their love. His church continued paying his salary, cared for the facility and grounds and sent him numerous messages of … [Read more...]
Students, young professionals immerse in renewal at ‘The Creek’
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PRIDE, La. (LBM) – Jolie Pruyn, 20, was a faithful attender of church-related activities as a youngster but an encounter with Jesus at Sandy Creek Baptist Church’s summer camp left her convicted of her need for a Savior. “That night I told myself, ‘If not now, when?’” Pruyn, a camp chaperon, told the Baptist Message. “Up until that point I felt ashamed of pretending to live a life for Christ and I was scared of what people would think. But the family I have become a part of at ‘The Creek’ was nothing but supportive. I have never felt more loved and uplifted in my life.” Pruyn is one of 25 students and young professionals at Sandy Creek Baptist Church who have decided to follow Christ in 2022. Seventeen of those were baptized July 17 (the most the church has baptized in one service) and seven are awaiting baptism. Additionally, five new believers who are not youth or young professionals have been baptized since January in a church that averages 225 in Sunday worship. Most of the decisions have taken place during Teen Extreme camp (attended by 95 students) in Pensacola, Fla., June 27-July 1, and at Wednesday night student worship. “It’s been cool to hear students say the … [Read more...]
Labrador retrieves 160 souls for Christ in ’22
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Keith Manuel and his Labrador retriever, Luke, have traveled thousands of miles across the state in 2022 to share the Gospel, and together have seen more than 160 individuals make decisions for Christ. Manuel said they are eager and ready to visit other Louisiana Baptist churches, too, at no cost. “Luke is a draw for people to come,” said Manuel, Louisiana Baptist evangelism and church growth team leader. “He’s a great evangelistic tool that people really seem to relate to.” Manuel purchased Luke in 2017 (his birth year) to calm victims of trauma he encounters in his law enforcement ministry. He also knew canines helped build confidence in children who struggled in school; and thought Luke might be useful to his wife, Wendy, a reading specialist with Rapides Parish Schools. But most importantly, Manuel believed Luke could be an effective tool to lead others to a relationship with Jesus. Earlier this year, Manuel noticed churches were beginning to re-engage in evangelistic outreach after COVID-related restrictions limited such efforts in 2020 and 2021. Several churches who were familiar with Manuel’s special ministry asked him to bring Luke to … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE James David Miller was licensed to the gospel ministry at Alto Baptist Church on August 14. He will attend Mississippi College and study Christian Ministry and be on the MC track and field team as a thrower. His father, Alan Miller, is the Alto pastor. His grandfather is James H. Miller, who is a retired pastor living in Dubach. Jerry Masters is the new pastor at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Rick Draper, the minister of worship and music, has departed from First Baptist Church, New Orleans. Nate Jernigan will begin serving as First Baptist Church, New Orleans interim worship leader on September 11. Cassidy Richardson is the new children/family associate at Grawood Baptist Church, Keithville. Ashley Young is the new children’s minister at Grawood Baptist Church, Keithville. Haley Kemp … [Read more...]
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